By Molly Taylor
MOUNT Gambier councillor Frank Morello has urged the community to consider selecting one of two shortlisted Boandik names for the multi-million dollar community and recreation hub precinct, claiming a non-Indigenous name would be a “missed opportunity“ on the road to reconciliation.
City Council has shortlisted three potential names for the centre, Wulanda, Berrin and Mount Gambier CoRe, and is now encouraging the community to provide feedback.
The three selections were picked from 162 name suggestions received following two rounds of community consultation in 2019.
The hub naming was discussed in length at council’s Regional Sport and Recreation Centre Committee Meeting on October 13 and additionally at the monthly meeting on October 20.
During the monthly meeting, Cr Morello addressed the chamber and said Wulanda, meaning enjoy and cherish in the Boandik language, was his name of choice.
Cr Morello said Wulanda was distinctive to Mount Gambier which had its “roots planted deeply” in Boandik country.
“It is specific to Mount Gambier and its meaning is right here, no where else,” Cr Morello said.
“If the community were to choose this name, it would send a strong message that we support the Boandik people and we are serious about making this centre an inclusive and welcoming place.
“As civic leaders and as a community, it would say we support reconciliation and council’s Reconciliation Action Plan is living breathing document which we endeavour to enact.”
Cr Morello said there was no better way to celebrate Boandik heritage then by giving the city’s biggest and most visible building a Boandik title.
“This will be an inter-generational facility and our aim is for people to cherish and enjoy each other’s company, friendships and family at what will be a wonderful centre,” he said.
“We can choose another name and hire advertisement to build an amazing brand around this building, but it would be a manufactured brand which would have little or no depth beyond superficial.
“Wulanda can be so much more than a name of a building. The weight of this single word in my view is immense.”
Hoping the community would also support his opinion, Cr Morello said if Wulanda was chosen, it would indicate the community saw First Nations People and stood by them.
“It says to me ‘we see you’,” Cr Morello said.
“Any non-indigenous name, I believe is a missed opportunity while on the road to reconciliation.”
The Bunganditj Language Reclamation Committee reviewed all community submissions and provided its support for the use of the two suggested Bunganditj names.
Convention and recreation centre, community, sport and recreation hub or sport, recreation and entertainment centre are also presented to the community as extended title options for the new facility.
Community consultation will close November 13 with submissions presented to council for consideration and a final decision.
Visit www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au to provide feedback.
